Perhaps
because of the increasingly warmer temperatures or because of SARS,
city department stores, shopping malls and cafes are showing a rare
emptiness, leaving you wondering where everyone is. The answer came
last week on a trip with a friend to Taiping's Tao-pien Pit [CHECK
THIS]. To avoid catching SARS, people are heading for the hills
for the fresh air. Moonlight Forest Cafe is located on Chiu-tung
Mountain, where you can see half of Taichung on a nice clear night.
From Taichung, head towards Taiping and follow the signs after passing
the Bat Cave to get to the wood cabin and the herb garden. This
is a relaxing place for the central residents to pass the time on
the weekends. The beverages here may not compare with some places
but have a simple country flavor to them. "Lunar Serenity Milk
Tea" (NT$150) is flavored with sweet osmanthus flowers for
a light floral scent. "Attachment of Light Fruit Tea"
(NT$150) has the addition of mint. Fruit tea with mint is unusual
but it is certainly worth a try.